SAN JACINTO: Bicyclist crossing street dies after hit by car, truck
SAN JACINTO — A bicyclist died after being struck by a car and then a pickup truck Tuesday evening, June 6. The fatal accident happened along a dark section of San Jacinto Avenue near Shaver Street in San Jacinto. The same section of road has been the site of several other recent major and fatal collisions.
Last night’s fatal accident was only one of two deadly wrecks that happened in the San Jacinto/Hemet valley within less than 12 hours.
SEE RELATED: HEMET: 56-year-old Hemet resident killed in head-on collision – Second valley fatal accident in 12 hours
Traffic investigators from the Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station spent several hours documenting the scene of the fatal collision. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo
After the accident, the bicyclist, who has still not been identified by officials and has only been described as a male, was transported to a trauma center at Riverside University Health System Medical Center.
Despite life-saving efforts, the bicyclist succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff about five hours after the accident. According to coroner officials the victim died at 2:36 a.m.
County of Riverside Sheriff and Fire personnel responded to the scene of the fatal accident at 9:32 p.m., after several people called 911 to report the incident.
When they arrived, officials found the bicyclist down in the roadway. He had sustain major, traumatic injuries and his damaged bicycle lay some distance away.
Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters immediately began treating the bicyclist, before AMR medics transported the victim to RUHS’s trauma center, where he later died.
While firefighters and medics provided medical aid to the downed bicyclist, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s San Jacinto Police Station investigated the cause of the fatal accident.
During their investigation, deputies determined that just prior to the accident, a Toyota Camry and a Ford Ranger were traveling northbound on San Jacinto Avenue, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Robert Himmelberg said in a written press release after the accident.
A bicycle remained at the scene after the victim was struck, first by a car, then a pickup truck. Robert Carter/Public Safety Incidents photo
“A bicyclist traveled west into the path of the Camry and was struck,” Himmelberg explained. “After the bicyclist fell to the ground, he was also struck by the Ranger.”
During their investigation, officials called for the temporary closure of San Jacinto Avenue. Authorities reopened the roadway about three hours later.
In the press release, Himmelberg confirmed that fatal traffic collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists have sharply risen not only throughout Riverside County, but nationwide as well.
“The San Jacinto Police Department wishes to remind pedestrians and bicyclists to obey all traffic laws and wear brightly colored clothing during the hours of darkness,” said Himmelberg. “Bicyclist must also ensure their bicycles are equipped with reflectors and proper lighting equipment for night-time use.”
The San Jacinto Police Department’s investigation into the deadly wreck is active and ongoing.
Anyone having additional information regarding this incident or who witnessed the fatal collision is encouraged to contact the San Jacinto Police Department at (951) 487-7352. Callers can refer to incident file number I171570114 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.
Has the deceased been identified ? I lost contact with my 29 year old son 3 months ago. He rides a bicycle for transportation. I last saw him in Hemet but he frequents San Jacinto often. Please respond.